In Jinx #30 for March 1937 was a new departure in “spell out” card effects.
It received comment upon its publication as being original in conception,
and a decidedly fresh way of finishing the usual wind up. This to follow
is by far a great improvement upon the first thought, and also allows of a
special deck being made to present the problem as a program item.
In effect, the card is selected, noted and returned by one of the audience.
The magician states that he will find it in a peculiar way that never fails
because of a double check at every point throughout. The card is named,
for instance the Two of Hearts. The magician slowly spells T-W-O. Turning
up the last card it is seen to be a two spot. He proceeds by spelling O-F.
On F the card is turned over and shown to be a Heart. Then he continues
by spelling H-E-A-R-T-S. The last card is turned up and it is the Two of
Hearts !!
For the ordinary pack version, twelve cards are arranged as follows : 4C –
JC – 9H – KS – 4S – JH – 9C – KC – 4H – JS – 9S – KH. It will be noted that
the values 4-J-9-K are repeated over and over, while the suits are doubles
of Clubs and Spades twice, with a Heart card between each set of doubles.
This order is from the top (or back) down. The thirteenth card of the deck
is down crimped at the inner right corner so that the stock of 12 arranged
cards may be lifted off together.
A card is selected from among the top 12. The left little finger is holding
a break under the top 12. When the spectator removes the card, the top
stock of 12 is cut at the spot of removal just as is done with any fully
stacked deck. In this case, however, merely the top 12 are cut. With cards
in hand it will be seen that this is a very simple manoeuvre, the cards
above the spot where one has been removed, going into the spot where
the break is being held.
The deck is squared and the top stock of 11 above the crimped card is
lifted for the replacing of the chosen card. After this, a dovetail shuffle
may be given deck, keeping the top 12 cards intact. The spell out now
works automatically. First spell the value, letter by letter. On the last
letter, the card in hand will be of the correct value. Then spell O-F, and on
F, the correct suit will show up. Then spell the suit. If Clubs, always turn
the next card AFTER the last letter. For Hearts and Spades, turn up the
card on the last letter.
13
If the spelling process does not reverse the cards, the effect may be
repeated without new arrangement, as the 12 arranged cards can be cut
indefinitely without hurting the working.
For larger audience use with giant sized cards, a deck is made up to consist
of 4 sets of 12 cards, each set being a duplicate of the others. The 12 cards
are the ones as given above, and in the same arrangement. This pack of 48
cards can be cut indefinitely at the start and a card removed freely from
any portion of the deck. The deck is merely cut at the point of removal,
and the cut completed. The only thing necessary for the replacing is to
have the card inserted anywhere below the top twelve cards. Its duplicate
will be in position automatically for the successful spell out. This makes
an excellent spell effect for those who want to incorporate one good
showy card number in their routine.